A grassroots movement is urging consumers across the US to participate in a one-day “economic blackout” on Feb. 28 by refraining from making any purchases.
The initiative, led by The People’s Union USA, is one of several ongoing consumer-led boycotts aimed at protesting corporate greed and recent rollbacks in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs by major companies.
The planned blackout encourages consumers to avoid all spending, both online and in physical stores, for 24 hours—from midnight on Thursday to midnight on Friday. If purchases are necessary, organizers suggest shopping exclusively at small, locally owned businesses rather than large corporations.
The movement is part of a broader effort to highlight economic inequality, corporate influence, and consumer power. The People’s Union USA, founded by activist John Schwarz (known as “TheOneCalledJai” on Instagram), describes itself as a nonpartisan grassroots group focused on economic resistance and corporate accountability.
The Feb. 28 blackout is a response to various economic frustrations, including high living costs, inflation, and corporate decisions that organizers believe prioritize profits over social responsibility. Additionally, some participants are protesting moves by companies to scale back DEI initiatives, as well as policy changes by the Trump administration that have affected federal DEI programs.
Schwarz has expanded the movement to include targeted boycotts of specific corporations. Following the Feb. 28 blackout, planned boycotts include:
- Amazon (March 7-14)
- Nestlé (March 21-28)
- Walmart (April 7-14)
- A second one-day blackout on April 18
Historically, consumer boycotts have had mixed results. While some movements have successfully pressured companies into policy changes, others have had limited financial impact. Experts note that for boycotts to be effective, they often need clearly defined goals and widespread participation.
Recent conservative-led boycotts have influenced corporate decisions on social issues, and past economic protests—such as the #BoycottBlackFriday movement in 2014—have shown short-term effects. However, long-term financial impact is less certain, as some companies may see increased support from consumers who disagree with the boycott.
The Feb. 28 blackout is part of a growing trend of consumer activism:
- Target boycott (February 2024–Ongoing): Activists launched a national boycott of Target after the company scaled back DEI efforts.
- Faith-based boycott of Target (March 5–April 14): A religious coalition is organizing a 40-day boycott of the retailer.
- #LatinoFreeze Movement: This social media-driven effort encourages Latino Americans to limit spending in response to cuts to DEI initiatives and immigration policies.
- Buy-cotts: The National Action Network, led by Rev. Al Sharpton, has organized “buy-cotts” to support companies like Costco that have maintained DEI commitments.
The success of the Feb. 28 economic blackout will depend on participation levels and whether the movement sustains momentum beyond a single day. While some investors and businesses may downplay its financial effects, organizers believe it is a powerful statement about consumer influence in the economy.
